Couple beats young children so viciously that 18-month-old girl stops breathing: Cops

Florida police arrested a couple on Friday and accused them of child abuse, among other charges, after their 18-month-old daughter stopped breathing, allegedly as a result of being severely beaten, as reported by WTSP.

Joclyn Marie Hopp, 24, and Nicholas Fisher Morgan, 22, were picked up following an investigation sparked by the April 15 incident. The girl was revived with the help of emergency personnel. After being taken to the hospital, a staff doctor told police that the young girl had stopped breathing due to severe bruising over her entire body and swelling to her head and scalp. All told, the 18-month-old had bruises and abrasions on her face, neck, arms, stomach and back.

While conducting the investigation, authorities found that the couple’s other child, a 3-year-old girl, also displayed signs of abuse, including severe bruising around her neck. The unidentified child made choking sounds when asked how she received her injuries, according to an arrest report.

Both parents have been arrested, despite Hopp allegedly blaming the beatings on Morgan. The male was charged with two counts of child abuse. His bail has been set at $50,000.

Hopp was charged with two counts of child abuse, in addition to child neglect, failure to report child abuse and violation of pretrial release. Her bail was set at $35,000. The two are expected to each meet with a judge separately sometime next week.

It is unclear who took custody of the children, though the Department of Children and Families is involved. This is an ongoing investigation.